4.5 stars. We’re finally getting somewhere! Aki and Momo have *finally* confessed their feelings for each other and I’m so excited. Where the hell is volume 4? I need it now. I love this series and each volume has been better than the previous one.
The furry yuri returns and Momo remains as thirsty as she can possibly be for Aki. But now Aki is realizing her own feelings and the horrible class divide that may never see them realized. Things are about to get… mostly horny, honestly.
Rarely have I read a series that I feel is so utterly flagrant in the mangaka’s predilections being nakedly (and half-nakedly) displayed on the page. Then again, this story is out to be wildly inclusive for all your yuri tropes.
Forbidden love between two people of different social status? Check. Devoted ‘friend’ who quietly conceals their love? Check, several times. Forbidden, implied passion between sisters? Check. And Aki is also Momo’s tutor, just to cram that in as well.
Yuri paradise barely begins to describe this, since literally every single character is female and has a particular pairing. The ongoing handshake agreement to cater to the furries remains intact as well.
But it’s still silly and fun and, after revealing our improbably dressed hyena princess (honestly, all the fashion in this story is over the top and a hodgepodge of styles) as a particular fan of the aforementioned forbidden love, settles into Aki wrestling with her feelings.
Late bloomer barely begins to describe Aki, although the story wisely (near as I recall) doesn’t mention anybody’s age because that’s a question you probably don’t need answered anyway. Yet here she is at [age], finally in love.
It’s largely a big bowl of sweetness and some angst, as Aki tries to balance her desires with reality. Momo hasn’t changed, but with Aki being a lot more honest comes a lot more flirting and things definitely begin to get more equal (well, up to the ending anyway).
There’s enough here to change the vibe up and make it a bit more fun than before. And, as I said, you have to give it up for simply going for it. There’s a whole section of maid costumes just because the story can. It’s almost brazen in how obvious it’s being.
That it still has a quiet romance to it is also good. Plus a loud hormonal section as well, but it’s more titillating than it is lurid and tacky. This might not suddenly become the next best thing, but it’s got more volumes to come and the shift in the relationships makes me less indifferent to it than I previously was.
It doesn’t hurt that after a week of being let down by various releases, this came in and just did exactly what it was trying to instead. And did it better than it usually does; I rather appreciate that, too.
Oh, and my side couple of choice gets some really cute moments too and that never hurts my final scoring.
3.5 stars - eh, I’ll allow this a rounding up for just looking at a barrier to being together and just throwing it to one side. There’s a verve to this series that I am slowly coming to appreciate.
I really like the amount of relationship progress that happened between Princess Momo and Aki. It was mainly on Aki’s side of things but it was really interesting to see a more nervous side to her as she reflected on her unique relationship with the princess. I also really enjoyed seeing that the hyena Princess: Kunya, ended up being a friendly addition instead of a potential love rival. I hope to see more of her and I’m also curious to learn more about Aki’s coworkers/friends: Sakaki and Kiku, since they have a cute dynamic as well. Overall this was a cute read and I’m wondering how things will play out for everyone in the next volume.